The opening ceremony and draw for of the “Manchester United Premier Cup World Finals 2015” were held on Sunday 19 July in Armitage Hall at the University of Manchester, England.

This international championship will decide the best club youth team (U-15) in the world. Approximately 8000 teams participate in the local qualifying round all over the world and the 20 selected teams will play exciting games in Manchester. Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-15, who won the “JFA Premier Cup 2015” at J-GREEN Sakai in May, will take part in this championship as a representative for Japan.

Denis Law, who contributed hugely to Manchester United and was the first Scot to receive the “FIFA Ballon d'Or”, appeared on stage as a special guest after the opening address. The players’ spirit was gradually raised by the encouragement from legendary players.

Then the captains of each team came to the draw. All of them looked very confident on the stage despite the tense atmosphere. There was a flicker of excitement whenever the match schedule was announced.

Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-15 will play in Group B with Clube Atlético Paranaense (Brazil), Genoa CFC (Italy), Esbjerg FB (Denmark), and Right to Dream (Ghana). The players looked more serious after finding out whom they would play in the coming international championship tomorrow.

Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-15's Coach and Players' Comments

KISHIMOTO Kosuke, Coach
I feel like it’s finally happening. Although all the teams in our group are strong and the coming games will be tough, we will play our style as Kyoto Sanga. I’d like the players to show their style and strength to get good results, just like back in the qualifying round in Japan.

EGAWA Genki, Captain
I believe that against whomever we play in the coming matches, they will be tough opponents, as all the teams got through the qualifying round in the continents or in their respective countries. I felt it was fate that we can meet Genoa CFC from Italy and Clube Atlético Paranaense from Brazil. Of course, we must win the games against them. 

As a captain, I’d like to encourage my teammates mentally, even in very difficult situations, not to mention contributing to score goals whenever needed. I know many teams back in Japan were gutted that they couldn’t make to this championship. So we’d like to play our best for them as well as for the staff and our families, who support us. I’d like to play each match at full stretch to win the championship. 

FUKUOKA Shimpei
I’d like to win each match in the qualifying round to meet Real Madrid or Manchester United FC in the final tournament. I also want to play against many different types of teams to learn from their skills. 

Personally, I’d like to stay competitive, using my body, as a forward and a defensive midfielder, so that I can contribute to score goals. We’ll play hard to become the best in the world for our teammates, who could not come here, and for other teams back in Japan, against whom we played to book a place in this championship.  

HATTORI Kohei
My strengths are to get to the space behind the defenders to take shots and to defend hard from the front line. So I hope I can display my skills to lead my team to victory. I’ll play my best to become the top goal scorer in the international championship just like I achieved in the JFA Premier Cup 2015.